The refrain, “How much food do you think we should buy?” should sound familiar to anyone who has thrown a party. Buy too much, and you risk wasting both money and food. Buy too little, and you risk leaving your guests hungry. The key to buying just the right amount is doing a little planning prior to your event. Natsunoya Tea House in Honolulu, HI, is one of Oahu’s leading party catering companies. According to their team, there are a few simple ways to ensure you have just the right amount of food the next time you need party catering.

Top 3 Tips for Estimating How Much Food You Need For Your Next Catering Event

1. Pick a Winner & Don’t Scrimp on It

There are some go-to catering favorites that everybody loves. Talk to the catering company you’re working with about their most popular dishes. Then, order slightly more than the portion guidelines suggest. Remember: It is always better to round up when ordering than rounding down.

2. The More Dishes, the Smaller the Portions

It might seem obvious, but the more dishes you order, the smaller the portion size per person you need. You should still factor in that everyone will try every dish, you just need less of everything. However, you should be aware that the more options you provide, the more food people will likely consume overall. 

3. Some Rules of Thumb to Know

Here are some general guidelines to follow when ordering: You should factor in six bites per person for hors d’oeuvers; six to eight ounces of a main protein, five ounces potatoes, four ounces vegetables, and one-ounce salad for dinner; and one slice of cake or pastry for dessert.

Nailing your catering order doesn’t have to be difficult. Simply follow the above guidelines and talk through your order with your catering company to ensure you’re on the same page. For help catering your next event, or to learn more about their banquet facilities, call Natsunoya Tea House at (808) 595-4488 or visit them online.